Around Hancock

Canal Visitors Center

The U.S. Park Service will open its new Canal Visitors Center in Hancock on Friday with a ribbon-cutting at 2 p.m.

Located in what is called the Bowles House, a historic farmhouse along the C&O Canal, the center features all-new exhibits in a home-like setting.

The Bowles House, built in the 1780s, pre-dates the canal and has been nicely refurbished for this use.

This area of the canal is particularly interesting due to the several aqueducts, excellent stonework locks and the ruins of an old canal tender's house.

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To reach the visitors center, use the access road off East Main Street (Md. 144) opposite the Hancock Truck Stop. Cross the Rail Trail with caution, and you will find parking near the Bowles House.

Rail Trail

The new Hancock Town Museum and Sideling Hill Exhibit Center was buzzing with visitors last Saturday following the grand opening only a few days earlier.

The Rail Trail had a lot of traffic, and each day I have driven by I see the "open" sign blazing and a friendly face at the door.

Circus in town

The circus comes to town Saturday.

The annual visit of the Kelly Miller Brothers Circus is a great end of the school year event for our town.

The all-new 2010 season features elephants, horses, llamas, camels, clowns and international circus stars.

Performances will be at 2 and 5:30 p.m., but you can watch the tent raising for free at 9 a.m. in Widmeyer Park.

Advance tickets are on sale at Citizen's National Bank, Hancock Truck Stop, Shaw Motor Co. and the Hancock Fire Station. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $6 for children. Tickets will cost more at the door. Proceeds benefit the Hancock Fire Co.

Pool to open

The Hancock Municipal Pool in Widmeyer Park opens this weekend with seasonal repairs expected to be complete.

A professional swimming instructor and some volunteer helpers are still being sought.

Please apply at the Town Office at 301-678-5622.

Also needed for the Hancock Senior Citizens Center are a sewing machine or sewing machine repairs, and a Wii Fit pad to go along with the Wii Fit game and system. Call Town Hall if you can help.

Graduation

Baccalaureate and commencement take place next week at Hancock Middle/Senior High School.

Baccalaureate, sponsored by the graduating class, is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, in the school auditorium.

This year's message will be delivered by the Rev. John Lombardi, new pastor at St. Peter's Catholic Church. Prayers will be offered by the Rev. Allan Weatherholt, rector of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church.

Baccalaureate is open to all and will be followed by the senior class tea.

Commencement for the Class of 2010 takes place the following evening, Thursday, June 3, at 6 p.m. Admission is by ticket only.

Artist coming to town

Internationally acclaimed artist P. Buckley Moss is coming to Hancock on Sunday, June 6, for an art exhibit and sale at historic St. Thomas' Episcopal Church.

To honor the church on its 175th anniversary, the artist has painted two new works: a "snow scene" of the church and a portrait of "Andrew, the Church Cat" (who recently died).

The exhibit, featuring multiple works, is from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to the public. St. Thomas' is at Church and High streets.